May 28, 2009: The NBA said that EA Sports would expand its alliance with the league to become the presenting partner of the 2009 NBA Draft, replacing Sprite in that capacity. NBA partners HP, Kia Motors and T-Mobile will also support the draft with a series of activities and promotions. The 2009 NBA Draft presented by EA Sports will be held at the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York on June 25. EA Sports, which has been an NBA partner since 1991 and presenting partner of NBA Europe Live since its inception in 2006 , will use the 2009 NBA Draft to promote its NBA LIVE 10 videogame and will announce the cover athlete and spokesperson at a pre-NBA Draft event. NBA LIVE 10 is scheduled to be released in fall 2009. EA Sports will also have integration throughout all NBA digital assets, including NBA.com, NBA TV, NBA mobile, and throughout the ESPN broadcast. “The NBA Draft continues to be one of our most anticipated events on the NBA calendar and will provide a new avenue for EA SPORTS to promote its NBA LIVE video game,” NBA evp-marketing partnerships Mark Tatum said in a statement. “EA Sports has been a wonderful partner for nearly 20 years, and its presenting partnership of the NBA Draft will deepen its connection to our game and our fans.” Back to Home Page